4 Year Peak: Chris Paul vs Kevin Durant

[Special_Puppy]

Who had a higher 4-Year Peak Between these two?

[AEnigma]

Generally same tier for me in the postseason (roughly top twenty-five). For four years, 2014-17 is probably the “correct” span for both of them (although for single years, Paul’s regular season peak was likely in 2009). Durant has deeper runs, and elevating that 2017 Golden State team to GOAT status is proof of concept which Paul never quite managed, but for me that is not enough of a clear demarcation when Paul’s only real “issue” by comparison is lack of opportunity.

[migya]

Pretty similar level players, but CP did more with less, less talent on his teams, and though I think his defense wasn't great, he was better than Durant and he might be slightly better.

[LukaTheGOAT]

Give me 2013-2016 CP3 over any peak period for KD.

[Special_Puppy]

Pretty similar level players, but CP did more with less, less talent on his teams, and though I think his defense wasn't great, he was better than Durant and he might be slightly better.

Can you elaborate on the defense part?

[The Master]

It's a funny comparison considering that you can't find 4y peak for both where they were consistently healthy in the playoffs. I mean, you can go with 11-14 for KD, but it's not his actual peak.

I guess I'd go with 14-17 with KD - so 2015 is lost for him, and 13-16 seasons for CP3 - where in 2016 he broke his hand in the playoffs and missed couple of games in the 2nd round against Rockets in 2015.

I'd go with KD: his 2014 RS performance is statistically the best one in this time span among both, and his 2017 playoffs run is something that CP3 doesn't have in his resume (not necessarily a title itself, but taking Warriors to another stratosphere as a team). I guess the biggest argument in favor of Paul is his postseason consistency (when he was healthy), but again, while Clippers weren't penalized for that, he missed two games in the 2nd round in 2015, he would've been out of playoffs after breaking hand in 2016, and I don't think he actually outplayed KD in 2014. Another argument for CP3 are his on/off stats, but to be honest I believe they're quite inflated (Clippers went 33-34 in that 6y-period without CP3, not bad in the Western Conference), that's still amazing impact for CP3, but IMHO within reach for peak KD.

But I'm fine if someone finds these arguments as more valid.

[migya]

Pretty similar level players, but CP did more with less, less talent on his teams, and though I think his defense wasn't great, he was better than Durant and he might be slightly better.

Can you elaborate on the defense part?

CP was a better defender.

[jdzimme3]

Pretty similar level players, but CP did more with less, less talent on his teams, and though I think his defense wasn't great, he was better than Durant and he might be slightly better.

Can you elaborate on the defense part?

CP was a better defender.

How about the "more with less" statement? In what way did CP3 achieve more than KD? I think the more fair statement is that he did less with less.

[migya]

Can you elaborate on the defense part?

CP was a better defender.

How about the "more with less" statement? In what way did CP3 achieve more than KD? I think the more fair statement is that he did less with less.

What I meant is he made his team better than Durant did. My view, not really easy to prove as both had winning teams.